Chef Soto’s every dish tonight was fabulous! From the salads to the entrees to the dessert, we loved every bite. Oftentimes eating out at resorts can be expensive and mediocre at best. But that was not the case at Meridia and we were absolutely pleasantly surprised. Thank you Meridia, for a wonderful night out.
Jackie Q
Incredible ambiance, gorgeous sunset views. All courses were 5 star worthy. A must for everyone visiting the Big Island seeking a top tier dining experience.
D L
Meridia is a very beautiful, intimate restaurant with a glorious view of Hapuna Beach. Sandra in reception is exemplary!! She traversed the extra mile to ensure we received a quieter table and specifically went out of her way to check on us throughout dinner in hopes her curating us by low key dinner neighbors was a success. Sandra is an absolute gem!!! Hence, when I located several bones in my grilled Branzino Seabass she was the first person I communicated with as she is efficient and ultra professional. It was quickly communicated to management and the chef and they kindly took care of the entrée and checked on me after the coughing debacle. The seabass, albeit was tasty and the kobocha squash bisque was delicious, although I might request the Smoked Paprika Pepitas on the side as they are quite pungent. The Meridia team was quite kind in helping curate a meal my spouse could enjoy. The salad was also delicious and the server provided excellent service. Our only constructive feedback would be some guests may prefer a quiet, intimate dinner with minimal conversation with their server. Our server was very kind, extremely energetic and clearly enjoys conveying extensive details about Hawaii, origin of the food and appears to appreciate connecting and talking at length, which is lovely if one is seeking that experience. If one is not, it can be a bit depleting and one finds themselves bracing each time the server returns. It appeared many people surrounding us enjoyed a tour guide server experience, however, we recommend reading the room and the guests to ensure they have the experience they are seeking. We definitely recommend Meridia, it is a lovely experience with tasteful fare and we were extremely pleased we chose this location over The Manta at the Mauna Kea. Sandra was an absolute stand out and truly made our experience. Thank you, Sandra!!!
Debra Zinik
This is the kind of fu fu restaurant that costs a fortune and you leave hungry. If you pay and don’t get a decent portion of food you flunk. No one likes that.
Jayme
Enjoyed our server and the experience she provided so much. Elizabeth was amazing and really made our dinner extra special. The food and cocktails were fabulous. Love that they use some fresh herbs and items from their local garden.
Greta
Wow this restaurant was spectacular! My family and I loved everything, the food, service, view and music! It definitely is top 5 restaurants I've been to at all Hawaii islands!
Vincent
Beautiful view of the sunset. Friendly wait staff. Trio Crudo was excellent, fresh, uniquely dressed. Bronzino lacked seasoning, just a bland whole fish that we had to debone ourselves for $57. The MP fish of the day was Snapper for $70, and sat on a delicious pasta. However the fish was a bit over done and dry. I would have expected perfection for a high priced snapper. The Gambas and Paella were good. The risotto was mushy and lifeless.
marjolijn
Service was very slow. Paella was small serving so was very burnt shrimp overcooked. It was ok. Bread was great and the appetizer octopus was great.
Capt . Ed
Cocktails at the bar during sunset. Perfect. Seated early when our table was ready. Waitress greeted us and set up our whole dinner as we desired. Food was excellent and plenty of it. But by the end of our meal we could see our waitress was overwhelmed by the now full house and she could not get to our table in a timely fashion. Eventually she came around, we ordered dessert (Kona Affogato excellent!). But we had to wait a fair amount of time for dessert to arrive. When it did, I had to eat quickly as we were trying to catch a shuttle back to our hotel. Had to ask the busboy to bring our check to leave on time. Otherwise, this was one of many times we've been here. I highly recommend, food is always outstanding, the bar venue overlooking the ocean and sunset is amazing!
Craig
Relaxing Atmosphere, Good Food, Exceptional Service, & Worth Every Dollar! When we first arrived, we were warmly greeted by the host, who struck up a friendly conversation about the betta fish at the stand—a charming touch. We were then led to our table, but I quickly realized the view I'd specifically booked for—the sunset—wouldn't be visible. When I asked about a better spot, we were told the owners had taken over the front area of the restaurant, making it unavailable. I was disappointed, as the sunset was the main reason we chose Meridia. Thankfully, our server Michael turned things around completely. His exceptional service truly saved the evening. He knew the menu inside and out, paired the perfect wine with my meal, and even surprised my newlywed wife with custom mocktails she absolutely loved. Going above and beyond, he also offered to take guests to the front to capture sunset photos—stepping in as photographer for everyone seated on the side. From start to finish, Michael was attentive, engaging, and never missed a beat. As for the food: the bread service was a delicious start. The oysters were just okay, but the bacon-wrapped dates were outstanding—my wife couldn't get enough. For entrées, we opted for the Ribeye and Short Rib. The Ribeye came a bit undercooked for our taste, but Michael handled it seamlessly, having a fresh plate brought out rather than simply reheating it. The Short Rib was a little dry, but Michael noticed and brought out a sauce that elevated the dish. The Ribeye, while not the best I've ever had, definitely ranks in my top 10—impressive for a non-steakhouse. We ended the evening with a light cheesecake and French press coffee. All in all, Michael turned what could've been a disappointing experience into a memorable evening. His service alone is reason enough to return.
We had a rough first experience at the restaurant when they were understaffed and we let the manager, Thor know. Thor took care of us and made sure to rectify this initial experience. Michael our waiter was excellent and extremely attentive. It was beautiful and we were very pleased with the restaurant's responsiveness and care they took to make sure we had a pleasant experience by the end of our trip.
jayne
The restaurant is beautiful and over looking the ocean. But the food selection was very limited, portions are very small and the prices are very high. I ordered the Ahi tuna. My waitress suggested I get a side and when I saw the portion of food, I realized why she had made that suggestion. The tuna portion was very small and there was barely any side dish at all. My daughter had the chicken and it was the same situation, barely any sides. My husband had the paella and it was very small compared to what you usually expect from a paella. The quality of the food we had was ok. We didn't order any drinks because the prices were just too insane. I don't mind paying high prices if the quality of the food , drinks and services is very high, but in my opinion, this restaurant is not worth it. The restaurant downstairs in the hotel is a much better value and the food quality is better.
John Fratianni
Really great sunset views with high quality of food and strong customer service. Price is definitely a bit high... on par with resort food but not outrageous. They are striving for michellin level quality and are almost but not quite there.
Tara Konya
If you’re not a regular, don’t expect the same level of service. Our server seemed rushed when speaking with us, yet spent a generous amount of time chatting with other tables. We weren’t guided through the menu, and no one checked in on how we were enjoying our meal. We eventually requested extra bread because it was phenomenal, but it never arrived.
On the bright side, the sunset views are truly stunning, and the fish of the day was full of flavor and a definite must-order. You can’t beat a fresh, local catch. The ribeye was good, though slightly dry, and the wine was bold and perfectly paired with our meal.
While some tables were receiving hugs and bottles of wine, our experience felt like an afterthought. This restaurant is located within the Westin Hapuna Resort, and offers both valet and self-parking. Reservations are a must, just be aware that the experience may vary depending on who you are and how often you visit.
lyra tali
We had a wonderful time celebrating my parents’ 30th anniversary here. The food, service, and ambience were excellent. At least 90% of seating here has front sunset views as the seating is staggered in height. Got the octopus and Gambas Al Ajilo to start, which were cooked to perfection. Our entrees were the scallops, lamb, and short rib. All were excellent, especially the lamb and scallops.
Chef Soto’s every dish tonight was fabulous! From the salads to the entrees to the dessert, we loved every bite. Oftentimes eating out at resorts can be expensive and mediocre at best. But that was not the case at Meridia and we were absolutely pleasantly surprised. Thank you Meridia, for a wonderful night out.
Incredible ambiance, gorgeous sunset views. All courses were 5 star worthy. A must for everyone visiting the Big Island seeking a top tier dining experience.
Meridia is a very beautiful, intimate restaurant with a glorious view of Hapuna Beach. Sandra in reception is exemplary!! She traversed the extra mile to ensure we received a quieter table and specifically went out of her way to check on us throughout dinner in hopes her curating us by low key dinner neighbors was a success. Sandra is an absolute gem!!! Hence, when I located several bones in my grilled Branzino Seabass she was the first person I communicated with as she is efficient and ultra professional. It was quickly communicated to management and the chef and they kindly took care of the entrée and checked on me after the coughing debacle. The seabass, albeit was tasty and the kobocha squash bisque was delicious, although I might request the Smoked Paprika Pepitas on the side as they are quite pungent. The Meridia team was quite kind in helping curate a meal my spouse could enjoy. The salad was also delicious and the server provided excellent service. Our only constructive feedback would be some guests may prefer a quiet, intimate dinner with minimal conversation with their server. Our server was very kind, extremely energetic and clearly enjoys conveying extensive details about Hawaii, origin of the food and appears to appreciate connecting and talking at length, which is lovely if one is seeking that experience. If one is not, it can be a bit depleting and one finds themselves bracing each time the server returns. It appeared many people surrounding us enjoyed a tour guide server experience, however, we recommend reading the room and the guests to ensure they have the experience they are seeking. We definitely recommend Meridia, it is a lovely experience with tasteful fare and we were extremely pleased we chose this location over The Manta at the Mauna Kea. Sandra was an absolute stand out and truly made our experience. Thank you, Sandra!!!
This is the kind of fu fu restaurant that costs a fortune and you leave hungry. If you pay and don’t get a decent portion of food you flunk. No one likes that.
Enjoyed our server and the experience she provided so much. Elizabeth was amazing and really made our dinner extra special. The food and cocktails were fabulous. Love that they use some fresh herbs and items from their local garden.
Wow this restaurant was spectacular! My family and I loved everything, the food, service, view and music! It definitely is top 5 restaurants I've been to at all Hawaii islands!
Beautiful view of the sunset. Friendly wait staff. Trio Crudo was excellent, fresh, uniquely dressed. Bronzino lacked seasoning, just a bland whole fish that we had to debone ourselves for $57. The MP fish of the day was Snapper for $70, and sat on a delicious pasta. However the fish was a bit over done and dry. I would have expected perfection for a high priced snapper. The Gambas and Paella were good. The risotto was mushy and lifeless.
Service was very slow. Paella was small serving so was very burnt shrimp overcooked. It was ok. Bread was great and the appetizer octopus was great.
Cocktails at the bar during sunset. Perfect. Seated early when our table was ready. Waitress greeted us and set up our whole dinner as we desired. Food was excellent and plenty of it. But by the end of our meal we could see our waitress was overwhelmed by the now full house and she could not get to our table in a timely fashion. Eventually she came around, we ordered dessert (Kona Affogato excellent!). But we had to wait a fair amount of time for dessert to arrive. When it did, I had to eat quickly as we were trying to catch a shuttle back to our hotel. Had to ask the busboy to bring our check to leave on time. Otherwise, this was one of many times we've been here. I highly recommend, food is always outstanding, the bar venue overlooking the ocean and sunset is amazing!
Relaxing Atmosphere, Good Food, Exceptional Service, & Worth Every Dollar! When we first arrived, we were warmly greeted by the host, who struck up a friendly conversation about the betta fish at the stand—a charming touch. We were then led to our table, but I quickly realized the view I'd specifically booked for—the sunset—wouldn't be visible. When I asked about a better spot, we were told the owners had taken over the front area of the restaurant, making it unavailable. I was disappointed, as the sunset was the main reason we chose Meridia. Thankfully, our server Michael turned things around completely. His exceptional service truly saved the evening. He knew the menu inside and out, paired the perfect wine with my meal, and even surprised my newlywed wife with custom mocktails she absolutely loved. Going above and beyond, he also offered to take guests to the front to capture sunset photos—stepping in as photographer for everyone seated on the side. From start to finish, Michael was attentive, engaging, and never missed a beat. As for the food: the bread service was a delicious start. The oysters were just okay, but the bacon-wrapped dates were outstanding—my wife couldn't get enough. For entrées, we opted for the Ribeye and Short Rib. The Ribeye came a bit undercooked for our taste, but Michael handled it seamlessly, having a fresh plate brought out rather than simply reheating it. The Short Rib was a little dry, but Michael noticed and brought out a sauce that elevated the dish. The Ribeye, while not the best I've ever had, definitely ranks in my top 10—impressive for a non-steakhouse. We ended the evening with a light cheesecake and French press coffee. All in all, Michael turned what could've been a disappointing experience into a memorable evening. His service alone is reason enough to return.
Restaurantji Recommends
We had a rough first experience at the restaurant when they were understaffed and we let the manager, Thor know. Thor took care of us and made sure to rectify this initial experience. Michael our waiter was excellent and extremely attentive. It was beautiful and we were very pleased with the restaurant's responsiveness and care they took to make sure we had a pleasant experience by the end of our trip.
The restaurant is beautiful and over looking the ocean. But the food selection was very limited, portions are very small and the prices are very high. I ordered the Ahi tuna. My waitress suggested I get a side and when I saw the portion of food, I realized why she had made that suggestion. The tuna portion was very small and there was barely any side dish at all. My daughter had the chicken and it was the same situation, barely any sides. My husband had the paella and it was very small compared to what you usually expect from a paella. The quality of the food we had was ok. We didn't order any drinks because the prices were just too insane. I don't mind paying high prices if the quality of the food , drinks and services is very high, but in my opinion, this restaurant is not worth it. The restaurant downstairs in the hotel is a much better value and the food quality is better.
Really great sunset views with high quality of food and strong customer service. Price is definitely a bit high... on par with resort food but not outrageous. They are striving for michellin level quality and are almost but not quite there.
If you’re not a regular, don’t expect the same level of service. Our server seemed rushed when speaking with us, yet spent a generous amount of time chatting with other tables. We weren’t guided through the menu, and no one checked in on how we were enjoying our meal. We eventually requested extra bread because it was phenomenal, but it never arrived.
On the bright side, the sunset views are truly stunning, and the fish of the day was full of flavor and a definite must-order. You can’t beat a fresh, local catch. The ribeye was good, though slightly dry, and the wine was bold and perfectly paired with our meal.
While some tables were receiving hugs and bottles of wine, our experience felt like an afterthought. This restaurant is located within the Westin Hapuna Resort, and offers both valet and self-parking. Reservations are a must, just be aware that the experience may vary depending on who you are and how often you visit.
We had a wonderful time celebrating my parents’ 30th anniversary here. The food, service, and ambience were excellent. At least 90% of seating here has front sunset views as the seating is staggered in height. Got the octopus and Gambas Al Ajilo to start, which were cooked to perfection. Our entrees were the scallops, lamb, and short rib. All were excellent, especially the lamb and scallops.
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